There's A Season

There's a season for everything under the sun . . .

Yesterday was a sick day.  Pumpkin had the flu.  So we kicked back and tried to take it easy for the day.  We watched a few movies, read a few books, and rested.  We also had three changes of Pumpkin's bed attire and he had three trips to the tub to get cleaned up.  For the most part, Pumpkin was pretty even tempered even though he had to feel terrible. 

He decided that it had to be "french fries."  The last thing he ate before he got sick Thursday night was a few of daddy's french fries (the kids and I had had something different for supper).  So every since Thursday evening, Pumpkin keeps saying "Don't eat french fries.  They made you sick!"  Oh, the mind of a child!  

So far Princess, Daddy and I have yet to get sick.  Pumpkin is feeling much better today and has not been sick since nap time yesterday.  So may be it has run its course with him.  Pumpkin, Princess and I are once again chilling out at home, just in case.  One of us parents will have to go out this evening and pick up a few groceries, but we have enough to get by for a few days if need be. 

Today has been pajama day & play day.  Pumpkin and Princess have been playing very well together.  Not sure how long it will last today, but it is nice to have a semi-peaceful house for the time being.  They have been very active though, Pumpkin's room has been transformed into a pet shop.  I could barely get the door open earlier.  I think they both will need to do some cleaning in there today, since they both helped to "build" it.  Hmmmm. . . I may have to threaten to vacuum his room later (wink, wink).

I did do a bit of spring cleaning yesterday.  I cleaned the three windows in Pumpkin's room with window cleaner, then wiped the frame and seals down with bleach.  I was also able to clean the ceiling fan in his room.  I'm hoping to do the windows in Princess's room and our bedroom today.

Who knows what tomorrow will hold, but it is sure to another season in this unpredictable adventure of life.

It's A Small World

One thing I love about my blog is something that is behind the scenes.  Sure, it is fun to post and reflect about life and show off my nature photography skills.  Sure, it is fun to catch up on my favorite blogs.  Sure, it is fun to post about cooking and family adventures.  But the FIRST thing I do when I log-in is check out the stats on my blog.  

A lot of traffic to my blog comes through my Facebook friends, but I get excited to see that others have happened along my blog.  My favorite aspect to check out is the Audience.  In the fourteen months that I have had my blog, many countries have visited.  Here is a list that I was able to compile:  United States, Russia, France, Brazil, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Italy, Canada, United Arab Emiates, Austria, Thailand, Venezuela, Bulgaria, Latvia, Argentina, Japan, Hong Kong, and Spain.  Every time I check the Audience, it is like a little bit of Christmas.  The excitement of wondering how far across the world my thoughts and reflections have reached brightens my day.

It is amazing to know that I can sit at my computer in my house and someone thousands of miles away could be reading my blog.  It really goes to show what a small world it really is.  I think the song "It's A Small World" pretty much sums it up!

It's A Small World 

It's a world of laughter
A world of tears
It's a world of hopes
And a world of fears
There's so much that we share
That it's time we're aware

It's a small world after all

It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world 

There is just one moon
And one golden sun
And a smile means
Friendship to every one
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide

It's a small world after all

It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world

So thank you to everyone that helps to brighten my days and my weeks.  A little bit cheer goes a long way and helps me try to stay positive in my sometimes chaotic life. As I part, here is a spring picture to hopefully brighten your day!

Wait For It . . . .

We received an amazing blessing this evening. . . 

Wait for it . . . . .

Where did the television go????

Wait for it . . . .

 

A family member decided to be very generous and bought us a brand new high definition LED television as a gift for all of the February birthdays.  

It is AMAZING!!!!  Our other television was a hand-me-down from my grandparents (bought in 1982).  I have two different ideas in mind for the old television, so we will have to see how the ideas pan out before I post the outcome.  

Our FIRST brand-new television, hurray!!!!!  Anyway, we now get about 60 high definition channels to go with the 18 analog channels that we already had.  I'm extremely excited that we now get three PBS stations (with multiple sub-stations), instead of just one analog PBS station.  

So how are we going to celebrate???  By watching season one, esposide two of Dowton Abby on DVD!!!

I can't wait to play with it more tomorrow!!!!

Life & Such

Life appears to be plateauing out for the time being.  

Dad was discharged from the hospital Thursday evening.  Hooray!  My fingers are crossed that he does not have to be hospitalized again until his bone marrow transplant.  I've talked to him three times yesterday and once today, and he sounds great so far.  Hoping to drop by his house for a visit tomorrow afternoon, before he starts his chemo pills on Monday.

Last weekend we celebrated Daddy's birthday.  Pumpkin & Princess assisted with making the dump cake for the celebration.  I would of posted sooner, but alas we did not have internet last weekend and I have been away from home in the evenings once the router was replaced.

Dump Cake

1 pkg cake mix

20 oz can crushed pineapple in syrup, undrained

21 oz can pie filling

1 cup chopped nuts

1/2 cup stick butter, cut in thin slices

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, grease 9x13x2 inch pan.  Dump the undrained pineapple into pan.  Dump in pie filling and spread into an even layer. Dump dry cake mix onto the pie filling and spread evenly.  Sprinkle nuts over cake mix.  Place butter slices over top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes.  Serve warm or cooled.

Today has been a lazy day.  Princess woke me up at 7:00 a.m. and we snuggled for a while.  

Pumpkin slept in until about 8:45 a.m.  We had cereal and milk for breakfast and the kiddos watched some cartoons.  I worked on the grocery list after I figured out the dinner plan for the week.

Tonight: Pizza, salad, and pie crust bunnies

Sunday: Pot roast (with carrots, onions, and potatoes),  hawaiian sweet rolls and pudding with fruit

Monday: Fresh asparagus, creamy lemon chicken pasta, and strawberries

Tuesday: Family dinner night at grandma's house.  Yay!!!!!!

Wednesday: Cheese toasties, soup, and jello

Thursday: Pancakes, eggs, bacon, and apples

Friday: RAID THE PANTRY. . . maybe, just maybe if it is warm enough grill out. 

I did pretty good getting everything on my shopping list.  I did forget to get romaine for tonight's dinner.  I was sidetracked by celery for Pumpkin.  The kids had a great lunch today.  Pumpkin had celery with peanut butter and Princess had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.   I have some tomato soup cooling off on the stove.

So far the day has been going well.  Happy to have at least one stress-free day and hope that it becomes a trend instead of a rarity. ;-) I have been thinking about spring, which is right around the corner.  I cannot wait for the spring wildflowers!  My favorite one to search for is jack-in-the-pulpit. 

Wishing a lovely weekend to all!

For The Love Of Monkeys!

How much longer until this horrible month is OVER?  I try to be pretty laid back.  I try to take it as it comes.  I try to be the strong one for the family.  I try to do what is right.  Why the heck has this month be SO screwed up?  A month of blessings (Princess, Pumpkin & hubby's birthdays), has been picked apart by a month of constant interruptions and chaos.  

Dad just went into the hospital for his third hospitalization for the month of February.  Of course, they still do not know what is really wrong- they just have theories.  During the last visit he had the luxury of staying ICU for three days.  That first ICU visit created much anxiety for me.  Riding that elevator up to the 2nd floor, wondering if once again I would hear those terrible words that was spoken of my mom during her stint in ICU, "only two weeks to live."  Thankfully I did not hear those words, but oh that anxiety sure was there.  I love my dad and I sure as heck do not want to lose another parent.  They may move his bone marrow transplant up, so hopefully, just hopefully that will help.  I really don't know, it is all is God's hands.

I haven't posted in a bit because our internet router died last week.  The new one, just came in today's mail and it got it installed right before I received a text that dad was going to the hospital.  

My baby sister has been planning to move in with us for about three weeks now with her cat and dog.  Everyday seems like a waiting game.  Will it be today?  Will it be tomorrow?  There are never any answers.  We were hoping to use the box truck to move some of her larger things this evening, but it didn't happen.  I guess it gave me the evening to spend at the hospital anyway.

Pumpkin starts kindergarten in the fall and in the last week we received two rejection letters from the magnet school lottery, so we have decided to send Pumpkin to private school instead.  Boy is it going to hurt the pocket book, but a good education in a safe environment is worth it.  

I typically do not mention work, but a co-worker is retiring tomorrow.  I will be temporarily getting a large chunk of those duties for the time being, so lots of extra stress all around!

I don't think a chocolate cherry coke is going to help this time.  To be honest, I just want to cry instead of my typically laugh response.  Can I just hole up in my house for a few days and pretend that the world does not exist outside these walls? 

Here is to hoping the March will be much better!